Imposing table for preparing printing elements for press use



sept. 14 192e. A 1,600,028

T. WENSEL IMPosING TABLE FOR PREPARING PRINTING ELEMENTS Foa PRESS Us?J Filed July 5, 1924 @l 0 11,1 f" fa l? 10 f ff m/gml/ m 5g :nm//1/\m I/ 221m# l l I @D D Dill? @DE :2 iff/W" f' J lll Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

THEODOR WENSEL, OF CHICAGO, AILLNOIS.

IMPOSING T-ABLE FOR 'PREPARING PRI'NTIG ELEMENTS fFOR PRESS USE.

Application filed v.Tuly 5,

This invention relates to improvements in imposing tables and in methods of preparing vprinting elements for press use, and con* sists of the matters hereinafter described and Amore particularly pointed out in the appended claims. p

Imposing tables are used in the printing trades lfor laying out the various printing elements, such as cuts and plates and the like in the chase, `in the positions they are to appear in the finished printed page or sheet.

Under `the practice heretofore prevailing the printing elements such as half tones, cuts, and plates of various 4kinds have been locked within a chase, the chase merely resting upon the fiat smooth` surface. o f an imposing table. .Under this practice, it has been impossible to prepare the printing ele` ments for use in the ypress without a very considerable amount of labor when the chase is placed in the press. This results in waste labor and also in vkeeping a press out of active dutv for many hours.

One olf the objects of thepresent invenn tion is to provide in connection with such a table, a means for bracing the chase against distortion due to the internal pressure built up in locking the printing elements in place se that the printing elements shall be substantially in the condition in which they should be Ifor proper `operation in the press.

A further object of the .invention is to provide in connection with such a means, a straight edge which includes a scale7 which straight edge may be shifted to line and square up the printing elements in the desired spaced apart relation tothe end that the parts can be accurately positioned and aligned when on the imposing table, thus avoiding the present objectionable practice of doing this work yon the press,

These 'objects of the invention as well as the many advantages thereof7 will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an imposing table embodying my invention and illustrates the :manner of lining and squaring 1924. Serial No. 724,221. ,Y

up the printing elements in the desired arrangement. 4 l

Fig. 2 isa vertical detail section .through one marginal part of the imposing `table top and the associated chase, mat, furniture and printing elements thereon.

Fig. 8 Yis a transverse vertical detail section through a straight edge member embodied in my invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the bars embodied in my -invention which are adapted to be removably attached to the imposing table ltop for bracing the chase against distortion Aand ,providing the guide for the associated straight edgemember.

Referring now in detail tothatembodinient of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing^z-5 indicates the rectangular top of an imposing table and 6 indicates a printers chase used in connection therewith. Said chase is an open rectan ularpframe of the same plan area as `t iat of the table top, and to hold the same rigidly against distortion and in a definite position on said top 5, there is provided edge'- wise arranged flat bars 7-7 and 8 8, frespectively, at `the ends and at the sides of said top. v:Each bar 7 and 8 has a plurality of downwardly opening notches 9 9 Ai-n its bottom edge, which 4notches register with clamp screws 10-10 threaded finto tthe end and side edges of the table top 5. FWhen said bars are in position on :the table tcp, the screws l0 may be tightened up te securely clamp said bars in vplace with their top edges extending a suitable distance above the plane of the top sur-face of the chase. Preferably, washers 11 (see Fig. 2) are interposed between the heads of the screws 10 and the bars 7 and 8, respectively.

The `table top 5 not onlp7 provides the support for the chase but also provides the support for the mat l2 (see Fig. 2) upon which the printing elements 13, such as cuts, electrotypes and the like 'are disposed. Preferably and as is usualin the printing art, said mat is of the sectional kind, that is it comprises a pluralty of rectangular metallic blocks arranged Vto provide lthe mat, This mat is locked in the chase by suitable furniture or wooden strips 14-14 and associated wedges or quoins 15-15 in the manner well-known. Interposed in or among the Various blocks of the mat are clamping blocks 16 of familiar construction. Each clamping block is threaded to receive a bolt 17 which through its head, actuates a slidable clamping jaw 19 adapted to engage the edges of the associated printing elements to loclr them to the mat, as shown in Fig. 2. After the mat and printing elements are in the chase and the furniture 14 and quoins 15 are arranged to lool: said parts in the chase, a. great internal pressure is imposed upon the chase, which. in this instance, is held against distortion or bulging and is reinforced to withstand this pressure, by the bars 7 and 8 before referred to. y

In Fig. 1 I have shown a set up. wherein the printing elements are disposed in the positions their impressions are to appear in in the printed page or sheet. Heretofore, the ar 'anging of the printing elements was a tedious task` which required patience and skill on the part of the workman in lining and squaring up and spacing the printing elements. Generally this work was performed 'ith a rule and the spaces were measured off but inaccuracies were bound to result in such methods and these inaccuracies were most apparent in the sheet printed therefrom.

To assist in lining and squaring up as well as spacing the printing elements I employ a straight edge member which includes a blade 20 with a lined head 21 at one end. This blade is of a length greater than the longer dimension of the imposing table so that when its fixed head is in guiding engagement with one bar 7 or 8 the other end rests upon the opposite bar 7 or 8. To support that part of the blade 2O intermediate its ends, from sagging and thus dragging over the printing elements, I provide a plurality of supporting carriages 22-22 therefor, which may be slid or shifted longitudinally of said blade so that the carriages may travel upon those parts of the mat exposed between the rows of printing elements thereon.

Each carriage includes a bowed body member 23 (see Fig. 3) which extends transy versely of the blade 20, and said body is bent to define hook flanges 24 which engage opposite edges of said blade to guide the body member when it is shifted longitudinally of the blade. Each bowed body member has end extensions 25-25 which are formed to provide suitable depending ears in which are journalled antifriction rollers 26-26. It is apparent that the carriage members maybe adjusted longitudinally of the blade so that their rollers 26 may travel upon the mat in the spaces between the rows` of printing ele- Vinternfiediate part of the blade against ments and that said carriages support the ging.

By means of the straight edge blade 20, all parallel. edges of the printing elements may be easily lined up. lo assist in the proper spacing of said printing elements 125, I provide in connection with the blade, a scale member 27 which also may be adjusted longitudinally of the blade 2 0. This scale member which is narrower 'than the blade 20 enga-ges on the top surface of said blade and extends under the bowed body members 23 ofat least two of the carriages 22 and to hold said scale in the desired adjustedposition I provide spring lingers 28.-'28 which depend from the bowed body members 23 and yieldingly bear down upon said scale member. In connection with the blade 2O of the straight edge member I also may einploy a movable head 29 which has at least one edge arranged at a right angle to the edge of said blade. rThis movable head may be mounted on the blade in any suitable manner so as to be longitudinally adjustable thereon and to yieldingly hold it in the desired position on said blade, I provide said head with yielding spring lingers B0-3() similar to the spring fingers 28 before re ferred to.

After the printing elements have been disposed in the approximate positions on the mat, by the aid of the straight edge member and scale, the spacing between the rows of printing elements 13 may be easily determined and laid off and the edges of said elements may be lined up and squared by the edge of the blade 20. After the elements are spaced in one direction, they may be spaced and lined up in the other direction by arranging the straight edge member in a position at a right angle to that shown in Fig. 1. After the printing elements hare been lined and squared up in both direc-- tions, the clamp screws 17 are actuated to securely lock them in position.

IVith the form thus set up it is only necessary to remove the same from the im'I posing table and apply it to the press. In removing the set up form and chase, it is advisable to first ease up on several of the clamp screws 17 around each element to reduce the pressure on the chase. After this has been done, the screws l() of at least two of the bars 7 and 8 are loosened up and said bars are then lifted upwardly so that they may be removed from the in'iposinfg;l table. rIhis permits the chase to be slid olf the imposing table top 'and to be deposited upon the printing press in which it isv to be used, the clamp screws v17 heretofore loosened being again tightened up. p

It is apparent that my improved imposing table has many advantages. It not only reinforces the chase in settingv up the form,

but it permits of the printing elements being accurately lined and squared up as well as being spaced in the proper positions.

It is also apparent that my method of preparing printing elements for use will effect enormous savings and will free the presses, many of which represent very large investments.

While in describing my invention, I have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement of parts as well as the shape and form thereof, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination with a printers chase adapted to surround a mat to be locked therein and upon which printing elements may be disposed, a device comprising bar members for engaging the chase and for holding the same in its true shape against lbulging and a straight edge adapted for movement on said bar members and having a head for guiding engagement with one of said bar members for lining up said printing elements and for squaring them with respect to said bar members.

2. In combination with a support, a chase adapted to be removably engaged on said support, means providing a mat on said support within the chase and upon which printing elements may be disposed, devices `for locking the mat in the chase which devices exert an outward pressure upon the chase, bar members on the su port for engaging the chase for holding tiie same in its true shape against the outward pressure exerted upon it by said locking devices, and clamping members disposed among the sections of the mat for rigidly securing the printing elements to said mat. j

3. In combination with a support, a chase adapted to be removably engaged on said support, means providing amat on said su )port within the chase and upon which printing elements may be disposed, devices for locking said mat in the chase, which devices exert an outward pressure upon the chase, bar members on the support for engaging the chase for holding the same in its true shape against the outward pressure exerted upon it by said locking devices, and clamping members disposed in the mat for rigidly securing the printing elements to said mat, some of said bar members being capable of being removed from the support so that the chase with the mat and the printing elements thereon may be removed as an entirety from said support.

4t. In combination with a horizontally disposed rectangular support, a chase adapted to be removably engaged on said support, means providing a mat on said support within the chase and upon which rinting elements may be disposed, devices or locking said mat in the chase which devices exert an outward pressure upon the chase, bar members removably secured lto the edges of said support Jfor holding the chase in its true shape against the outward pressure exerted upon it by said locking devices, and clamping members disposed in the mat for rigidly securing the printing elements to said mat, so that the chase, mat and printing elements may be removed as an entirety from the support, after the removal of at least one of said bar members.

5. In combination with a printers chase adapted to surround a mat to be locked therein and upon which printing elements may be disposed, a device comprising bar members for engaging the chase and for holding it against bulging, a straight edge member including a scale adapted to be engaged upon and to be moved along opposite bar members, said straight edge having a head for guiding engagement with one of said bar members for lining up and spacing said printing elements and for squaring them with respect to said bar members and means on said straight edge intermediate its ends adapted to engage upon the mat in the spaces between the printing elements.

6. A device of the kind described comprising in combination with an imposing table top, bolts arranged in the edges of said top and bar members engaged with said edges of said top and having downwardly facing notches in their bottom edges adapted to register with and to receive said bolts,

so that said bar members may be removably secured to said top with the top edges of said bar members arranged in a plane above that of said imposing table.

7. A straight edge for use in lining and squaring up printing elements in a chase, comprising a blade having a fixed head at one end, a plurality of bow-members longitudinally adjustable on said blade, said bow members each carrying rollers positioned beyond the edges of said blade, a scale member longitudinally adjustable along said blade, and means associated with the bow membersffor holding said scale member against said blade.

8. A straight edge for use in lining and squaring up printing elements in a chase, comprising a blade having a ixed head at one end, a plurality of bow-members longitu-dinally adjustable on said blade, said bow members each carrying rollers positioned beyond the edges of said blade, a scale member 'longitudinally adjustable along said blade and extending under said bow members, and spring fingers fixed to the bow members and engaging the scale member for yieldingly holding it in position upon said blade.

9. A straight edge for use in lining and squaring up printing elements in a chase,

comprising a blade having a fixed head at one end, a plurality of bow-members longitudinally adjustable on said blade, said bow members each carrying rollers positioned 5 beyond the edges of said blade, a scale member longitudinally adjustable along said blade, a second head longitudinally adjustable along said blade, and means for holdmg the scale member and sa1d second mentioned head in thedesired adjusted position on said blade member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 21st day of June, 1924.

THEODOR VENSEL. 

